Abstract: In an electrical connector of the type in which an electrical conductor is clamped between the end of a clamping screw and a clamping surface in an electrical contact member, a cup-like clamping jaw carried at the end of the clamping screw, the clamping jaw including a clamping base and a circumferentially continuous generally tubular wall having circumferentially spaced portions permanently deformed radially inwardly to capture the clamping jaw upon the clamping screw while enabling relative rotation between the clamping screw and the clamping jaw, and circumferentially spaced lobes projecting radially outwardly between the radially inwardly directed permanently deformed portions.

Abstract: An encapsulated transformer in which the coil and core assembly of the transformer is encapsulated within a jacket of non-flexible epoxy resin, and a cushion of closed-cell foam rubber lies between the jacket and the coil and core assembly to preserve the integrity of the jacket while enabling thermal expansion and contraction of the core and coil assembly. Electrical contact members are integral with the jacket and are electrically connected to the core and coil assembly by flexible electrical leads.

Abstract: A self-sealing, self-locking nut in which the nut body includes an annular recess within which there is located an annular member of resilient sealing and locking material, such as a fluoroplastic, and compression-retention means integral with the nut body and including a radially inward extension of the clamping surface of the nut body, the extension being located beneath the annular member of resilient sealing and locking material and below the clamping surface such that upon engaging the fastener with a complementary threaded element and tightening the clamping surface extension against a workpiece, axial clamping forces tend to move the extension upwardly toward the remainder of the clamping surface, thereby essentially completely confining the annular member within the nut body and compressing the annular member axially while contracting the inside diameter of the annular member to establish a seal along the complementary threaded element and a prevailing-torque lock between the nut body and the compleme

Abstract: A self-locking internally threaded fastener in which the self-locking characteristic is derived from a ring-like plastic patch having a circumferential extent of greater than 180.degree. adhered to the thread-defining surface of the fastener. A method for making the fastener includes seating a fastener upon a pin having a configuration which establishes a cavity between the pin and the fastener, placing an initial deposit of plastic powder in the cavity and then re-distributing the plastic powder, as by blowing, to form a ring-like deposit which can be heated until fused to establish the desired ring-like patch. An apparatus includes a pin having a seating shoulder and a frusto-conical tapered portion for receiving the fastener and establishing the cavity.

Abstract: An expansion clamp for use with a resilient tubular gasket to provide a leakproof joint in a piping system including a substantially C-shaped circumferentially-extending member having end portions cooperating with one another and further including means for locking the end portions with respect to each other so as to maintain the expansion clamp, the gasket, the inner circumferential surface of the pipe in mutual compressive relation. One end of the C-shaped member is also provided with means to prevent axial and radial displacement of the other end portion.

Abstract: A circuit panel connector for enabling the connection of a plurality of circuit terminals at the edge of a circuit panel, such as a printed circuit board, with external conductors includes an elongate socket and self-aligning bifurcated electrical contacts juxtaposed with the socket along the length thereof, each having a pair of opposed cantilever tines integral with a common base and carrying contact lobes at the free ends thereof such that both tines are free to flex resiliently relative to one another for the reception of the circuit panel edge between the tines, while the contacts are free to move laterally, relative to the socket, for alignment of the contacts with the circuit panel edge in response to insertion of the circuit panel edge within the socket, and a strap integral with the base of each contact and extending laterally into a tubular connector element having means for releasably clamping an external conductor against the strap within the tubular connector element.

Abstract: A normally hydrophilic microporous material having a polymeric matrix and a filler dispersed throughout the matrix wherein the filler contains active polar groups, is rendered hydrophobic by exposing the material to a reactive compound. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the reactive compound is a silane or a silazane whereas in another preferred embodiment the reactive compound is a Werner-type complex of fatty acids coordinated with a metal. The treated microporous material is rendered impervious to water-based liquids but remains pervious with respect to vapors or gases.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes complementary contact elements, one contact element being supported for axial movement in its housing as part of a contact assembly also including a piston and a member evolving arc-quenching gas upon being subjected to an arc. Such contact assembly is disposed in a passage having an encircling electrically conductive wall and a piston thereof is responsive to evolved gas to displace the contact assembly. A resilient contactor is situated radially outwardly of the contact assembly and radially inwardly of the conductive wall for resiliently engaging the contact assembly and wall for providing electrical continuity therebetween.

Abstract: A shielding tape grounding device which is installed on a high voltage cable of the type having a metallic shielding tape for the purpose of grounding the shielding tape, the device including a sleeve of elastomeric material, preferably electrically conductive, a corrugated band seated within the sleeve, a grounding rod connected to the band, and a clamp surrounding the sleeve and the band such that the sleeve may be slipped over the cable to place the band over a bared portion of the metallic shielding tape and the clamp may be tightened to draw the band into engagement with the tape and provide a direct connection to ground through the grounding rod.